Blatter Can't Bluff When It Comes To Sexual Politics

FIFA President Sepp Blatter was caught short yesterday when asked to comment on how gay fans could expect to visit the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, given that homosexuality is banned in the country. As always when asked to venture beyond political platitudes, the intellectually starved Blatter had no clue how to respond, so attempted a joke by saying that "they should refrain from sexual activities". Almost as enlightened as the time he advised women football players to wear tighter shorts to attract more fans.

Belatedly realising that his every chump-headed utterance is generally reported around the world, Blatter attempted to backtrack with some token eyewash about how "in football we have no boundaries". Which is presumably why no gay professional football player has outed himself since the late Justin Fashanu over 20 years ago. Surely nothing to do with the sniggering attitude of the game's leading functionaries.

Unfortunately for Blatter, this issue is going to come up again and again over the next 12 years, unless the Qatari government suddenly passes new legislation. Most likely they will make some temporary concession, such as their promise to FIFA that any Israeli fans wishing to attend the tournament will be allowed to do so, even though they can not currently visit the state. Which is a bit like saying to your gay brother, "Your lifestyle makes me sick, but for the sake of family unity I'll invite you and your partner to my wedding and pretend for a day that I don't mind." Most generous, and the kind of offer that gays and Israelis alike may find themselves able to resist.